Revolutionizing air pollution analysis and modeling across road construction phases: A comprehensive review

Paper Details

Review Paper 04/07/2026
Views (12)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Revolutionizing air pollution analysis and modeling across road construction phases: A comprehensive review

Anilkumar Dattatray Shimpi*, Ashok Maruti Datir, Pravin Mukund Nalawade
Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 1-13, July 2026.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2026; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

By generating large concentrations of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), road building greatly adds to atmospheric pollution, endangering ecosystems, public health, and urban sustainability. Through the integration of empirical data, systematic reviews, and cutting-edge simulation techniques, this review summarises developments in air quality research and modelling from peer-reviewed publications published between 2020 and 2025. It looks at spatiotemporal dispersion patterns, phase-specific emission profiles, the effects on the environment and human health, and mitigation techniques. Case studies from around the world show that peak emissions are produced during the pavement and earthworks phases, frequently surpassing legal limitations in urban areas. The forecast accuracy of pollution hotspots is improved by combining machine learning, geographic modelling, and real-time monitoring. The assessment promotes phase-tailored strategies to encourage sustainable infrastructure development and emphasises the potential for significant emission reductions with current technologies. Researchers, legislators, and practitioners can use the insights offered to reduce the environmental impact of road construction projects and promote sustainable urban growth.

Alvarez CH, Evans CR, Pellow DN. 2023. Environmental justice and the urban built environment: Infrastructure, pollution, and green space. Annual Review of Sociology 49, 197–217.

Appel KW, Bash JO, Fahey KM, Foley KM, Gilliam RC, Hogrefe C, Hutzell WT, Kang D, Mathur R, Murphy BN, Napelenok SL, Nolte CG, Pleim JE, Pouliot GA, Pye HOT, Ran L, Roselle SJ, Sarwar G, Schwede DB, Sidi FI, Spero TL, Wong DC. 2021. The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model versions 5.3 and 5.3.1: System updates and evaluation. Geoscientific Model Development 14(5), 2867–2897. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2867-2021

Bond TC, Doherty SJ, Fahey DW, Forster PM, Berntsen T, DeAngelo BJ, Flanner MG, Ghan S, Kärcher B, Koch D, Kinne S, Kondo Y, Quinn PK, Sarofim MC, Schultz MG, Schulz M, Venkataraman C, Zhang H, Zhang S, Bellouin N, Guttikunda SK, Hopke PK, Jacobson MZ, Kaiser JW, Klimont Z, Lohmann U, Schwarz JP, Shindell D, Storelvmo T, Warren SG, Zender CS. 2013. Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system: A scientific assessment. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 118(11), 5380–5552. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50171

California Air Resources Board. 2024. Off-road Diesel Vehicle Regulation Overview.

Cement Sustainability Initiative. 2019. Environmental Emissions and Energy Use in the Cement Industry. World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Chong D, Huang Y, Wu G, Chen M, Zhang Y, Hao G, Hou H. 2025. Modeling the volatile organic compounds emissions from asphalt pavement construction and assessing health risks for workers with uncertainty analysis. Case Studies in Construction Materials 22, e04507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04507

Chong D, Wang Y, Guo H, Lu Y. 2014. Volatile organic compounds generated in asphalt pavement construction and their health effects on workers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management 140(2), 04013051. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000801

Council on Energy, Environment and Water. 2025. How Can Dust Mitigation Plans Reduce Construction Air Pollution?

European Environment Agency. 2023. Towards Zero Pollution in Europe.

Federal Highway Administration. 2022. Construction Noise Handbook.

Floridi L, Cowls J, Beltrametti M, Chatila R, Chazerand P, Dignum V, Luetge C, Madelin R, Pagallo U, Rossi F, Schafer B, Valcke P, Vayena E. 2018. AI4People—An ethical framework for a good AI society: Opportunities, risks, principles, and recommendations. Minds and Machines 28(4), 689–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11023-018-9482-5

Giunta M. 2020. Assessment of the environmental impact of road construction: Modelling and prediction of fine particulate matter emissions. Building and Environment 176, 106865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106865

Giunta M. 2023. Sustainable Practices in Road Constructions: Estimation and Mitigation of Impact on Air Quality. Transportation Research Procedia 69, 139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2023.02.155.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2022. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.

Kim SE, Lim YH, Kim H. 2020. Short-term exposure to air pollution and hospital admission or emergency room visit for pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health 19, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-020-00687-

Laudan J, Banzhaf S, Khan B, Nagel K. 2025. Air Quality-Driven Traffic Management Using High-Resolution Urban Climate Modeling Coupled with a Large Traffic Simulation. Atmosphere 16(2), 128. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020128

Li J, Li Y, Wang Z, Zhu J, Kong L, Li J, Wu H, Li L, Tang X, Cheng Z, Zhang L, Gan P, Pan X, Yang W, Cao K, Zheng J. 2025. Next Generation Air Quality Models: Dynamical Mesh, New Insights into Mechanism, Datasets and Applications. Current Pollution Reports 11, Article 25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-025-00355-9

Ma X, Zou B, Deng J, Gao J, Longley I, Xiao S, Guo B, Wu Y, Xu T, Xu X, Yang X, Wang X, Tan Z, Wang Y, Morawska L, Salmond J. 2024. A comprehensive review of the development of land use regression approaches for modeling spatiotemporal variations of ambient air pollution: A perspective from 2011 to 2023. Environment International 183, 108430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108430

Rahaman S, Jahangir S, Chen R, Kumar P, Thakur S. 2021. COVID-19’s lockdown effect on air quality in Indian cities using air quality zonal modeling. Urban Climate 36, 100802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100802

Roads Australia. 2024. Sustainable Asphalt Technologies Report.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2023. AERMOD: Description of Model Formulation.

Veefkind JP, Aben I, McMullan K, Förster H, de Vries J, Otter G, Claas J, Eskes HJ, de Haan JF, Kleipool Q, van Weele M, Hasekamp O, Hoogeveen R, Landgraf J, Snel R, Tol P, Ingmann P, Voors R, Kruizinga B, Vink R, Visser H, Levelt PF. 2012. TROPOMI on the ESA Sentinel-5 Precursor: A GMES mission for global observations of the atmospheric composition for climate, air quality and ozone layer applications. Remote Sensing of Environment 120, 70–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2011.09.027.

Wang Y, Cui S, Liu S, Liu S, Wang VW, Qin X. 2023. Post-assessment of the eco-environmental impact of highway construction—A case study of Changbai Mountain Ring Road. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 98, 106963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106963.

World Health Organization. 2024. Ambient Air Quality Database: 2024 Update.

Xu S, Sun C, Liu N. 2024. Road congestion and air pollution—Analysis of spatial and temporal congestion effects. Science of the Total Environment 945, 173896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173896

Ye F, Li Y. 2024. Road Traffic Infrastructure Construction and Air Pollution Based on the Perspective of Spatial Spillover. Sustainability 16(22), 9627. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229627.

Yu C, Yang X, Mu J, Liu S. 2025. A systematic review of urban road traffic CO₂ emission models. Carbon Footprints 4, 17. https://doi.org/10.20517/cf.2025.12

Related Articles

General characteristics of symbiotic relationships between bacteria belonging to the order rhizobiales and wild legumes

K. F. Bakhshaliyeva*, N. D. İmamquliyev, M. İ. Qasımova, S. M. Muradova, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 33-37, July 2026.

Pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and bioactivity profile of taurine in cardiovascular health and disease management

Aravindhan Tamililakkiya, T. Dhanalakshmi*, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 24-32, July 2026.

Climate change impacts on the biogeography and population status of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.: Implications for sustainable conservation

Fatimata Anna Diallo*, Dominique Nikiéma, Abdoulazize Sandwidi, Boukary Ousmane Diallo, Pauline Bationo/Kando, Int. J. Biosci. 29(1), 14-23, July 2026.

Dynamics of land use and land cover change in Puntland, Somalia: Drivers, trends, and implications for dryland ecosystem sustainability

Louis Njie Ndumbe*, Verina Ingram, Ettagbor Hans Enukwa, Fonwi Blanche-Kelly, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 285-295, June 2026.

Health risks linked to the contamination of fried fish sold on the streets of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus

Kouame N´Zebo Desire*, Krabi Ekoua Regina, Traore Moumouny, Dadie Adjehi, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 273-284, June 2026.

Nanotechnology-driven diagnostics and therapeutics in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Emerging technologies, clinical translation and future perspectives

Abhijeet Patnaik, S. Vidya, Sathyakumar Mayilvakanam*, Magesh Karuppur Thiagarajan, Aravindhan Ravi, Sivachandran Annamalai, Mitthra Suresh, Int. J. Biosci. 28(6), 216-272, June 2026.